However, if the Lakers choose someone else, Houston could intrigue Hollins.

I can’t imagine a better place for Hollins to repair his images after disputes with the Grizzlies’ analytically inclined front office led to his ouster in Memphis. Hollins is an excellent coach who relates well to his players and has a proven record of success on defense. it’s a shame one flaw – Hollins should become more accepting of statistics, because they really don’t interfere with his coaching principles – has kept him out of the game for a year and counting.

Morey’s Rockets also heavily rely on analytics to inform their decisions, so if Hollins succeeds with them, that would say a lot about his ability to adapt. Every front-office in the NBA uses analytics to some degree, and it would be difficult to employee a coach who can’t at least work within an organization that values statistics.

If you’re wondering why Morey would want Hollins, the Houston general manager is more open-minded than he gets credit for. McHale is definitely not predisposed to using analytics, but he and Morey have complemented each other relative well.

Hollins could help upgrade Houston’s 12th-ranked defense, which allows the most points per possession in the playoffs. If he does, he’d definitely be in line to become a head coach next offseason.

In many ways, this is just Morey taking the analytical approach in building a coaching staff. The market is flooded with good coaching candidates – there’s no excuse for hiring a lackluster, either in potential or current ability, head coach this offseason – and that leaves a surplus, which includes Hollins. Most years, Hollins would have already been hired as a head coach elsewhere.

Hollins and Houston would be an interesting pairing, no doubt. If it works, the Rockets could improve enough defensively to win their first playoff series and six years and Hollins could position himself to become a head coach somewhere the following season.

imo, the Lakers should hire Hollins, or Mark Jackson, but I think it’s going to be Byron Scott.
Hollins especially, because the worst thing about D’Antoni was the total disappearance of Defense, and Coach Hollins would toughen up the team.